TADLEY CALLEVA 1

Vine 85

PORTLAND UNITED 1

Morris 63

A LATE Rowan Vine effort saw Portland United held to a 1-1 draw at Tadley Calleva in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Ben Morris had put Portland ahead after 63 minutes, but the visitors were met by an impressive performance from Tadley goalkeeper Jack Martin, who was at Weymouth last season.

Portland were dominant throughout the encounter, but struggled to take their chances.

In the fifth minute, Jamie Beasley saw a rasping drive that hit the post and out to safety.

Symes then fired an effort towards goal but saw the effort saved.

Morris then weaved a lovely run, played a one-two with Symes but was tackled before he could pull the trigger.

In the second half, the pattern continued, as Josh Williams hit an effort over.

A series of four passes then saw the ball come to Morris, who curled in from the edge of the box after 63 minutes.

However, in the 85th minute, Portland switched off from a short corner, which allowed Vine to slot in and deny Portland victory.

Portland assistant-boss Mark Carter told Echosport: “I feel a bit disappointed for the lads, because before the game I was talking about being resolute in defending, being hard to break down, which they were very good at. Steve Boore didn’t have much to do until the final few minutes when we got put under a bit of pressure, other than that he had a very quiet afternoon”

“The young Weymouth lad (Martin) was excellent with some of the saves he pulled off.”

Portland: Boore, Bastick, Clarke, S Buckler (Hutchinson 70), King, Williams, Morris, McKechnie, Symes, Godfrey (Rowe 70), Beasley, Rowe. Sub not used: Howell